The distraught mother told the newspaper Tuesday that Coles’ car has been parked outside her apartment since her disappearance. When she gained access to the vehicle, Coles’ cellphone and purse were inside.

A family friend, Regina Kennedy, said Coles had a lunch bag in the car as though she planned to go to work the day she vanished, the Tribune said. People magazine reported that Coles was seen on a neighbor’s security video Oct. 2, dressed for work as she walked near her home.

“She seen something that made her turn around that fast and cross the street, and her car was on the other side of the street,” Perkins told the news station.

Despite being dressed for work, Coles never made it to start her shift.

Post office officials told her family she called in sick, People reported. Officers conducting a welfare check at Phillips’ request found Coles’ keys and wallet inside her apartment, the magazine said.

Postal Employee Kierra Coles is reported missing and was last seen on October 2, 2018. If you have information regarding Kierra's whereabouts, please call the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at 1-877-876-2455. There is a reward for up to $25,000. pic.twitter.com/uLdN8iEtNu

Postal Inspection Service spokeswoman Julie Kenney said Monday, when the reward was announced, that her office -- which serves as the investigative arm of the U.S. Postal Service -- is investigating Coles’ disappearance in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department. Coles was not on duty when she vanished, but the agency has the ability to investigate crimes against its employees.